Colm Tóibín

In some societies, language is a way to restrain experience, take it down to a level where it might stay. It is neither ornament nor exaltation; it is firm and austere in its purpose. It is thus a form of calm, modest knowledge or maybe even evasion.

Colm Tóibín was born in Enniscorthy in 1955. He is the author of nine novels including Brooklyn, The Testament of Mary and House of Names. He has written the introduction to Death in Spring by Mercè Rodoreda, the first title in the Penguin European Writers series. His work has been shortlisted for the Booker three times. He lives in Dublin.